New from Prudential: Level Term Life to Age 65

When you are young and healthy, purchasing a life insurance policy might be the last thing on your mind. However, some dangerous diseases can develop with little warning, leading to serious health problems and even higher insurance premiums in the future.

An example would be skin cancer, the most common of all cancer types. In the United States, more than 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed each year. This number has rapidly increased over the past decades.

Skin cancer is often caused by over exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays that come directly from the sun or from man-made sources, such as indoor tanning beds.

A recent study appearing in the Archives of Dermatology reveals that between 1992 and 2006, there was a 77 percent increase in the number of Medicare recipients being treated for skin cancer. During that time period, the number rose from about 1.15 million to 2.04 million.

Older people are at a greater risk for skin cancer, although others in the high-risk pool include those who regularly use tanning beds or who spend a lot of time outside without using sunscreen.

According to SkinCancer.org, the cost of treating melanoma is about $249 million and the cost of treating non-melanoma is about $1.4 million annually.

With these things in mind and the summer season starting, the American Cancer Society offers these potentially life-saving tips:

– Use clothing to protect your skin.

– Wear a hat with a 2- to 3-inch brim.

– Use sunscreen and lip balm when out in the sun.

– Wear a minimum of SPF 30 when outside.

– Avoid indoor tanning beds.

– Wear sunglasses and seek out the shade.

– Limit your exposure to the sun between 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Early protection against skin cancer will increase one’s health and decrease one’s life insurance premium.